New development : what works now? Continuity and change in the use of evidence to improve public policy and service delivery

Abstract

This article highlights 10 key strands of continuity and change in the use of evidence over the past two decades. Interest in evidence use continues, as do the many challenges encountered when seeking to deliver on this aspiration. There have been developments in ideas and actions, which foster some optimism that better use of varying forms of evidence can be encouraged. Speaking directly to policy-makers, funders, and users of evidence-based information, this article makes the case for ongoing, multi-actor activity to improve the use of evidence in public policy and service delivery. This involves ensuring definitions of good evidence are fit for purpose; developing inclusive processes that enable evidence to be integrated with other forms of knowledge and ways of knowing; doing more than improving the supply of evidence by building relationships and systems that support evidence use; ensuring sustainable funding models for evidence-use initiatives that have been shown to be effective.